EA cancels Dead Space 4

March 5th, 2013, 23:02

Somewhat surprising considering that Dead Space 3 was just released a few weeks ago. Apparently DS4 was in pre-production at Visceral Games in their Montreal studio, but the game has been cancelled and the entire studio laid off. The reason, of course, was sales.

Dead Space was the only series EA had that I was interested in, but skipped DS3 because EA was behind it and because the iPhone game simply allowed you to purchase nodes with real money and patched the game just to add advertisements on the main menu.

-- Mankind must put an end to war or war will put an end to mankind. - John F Kennedy
An eye for an eye, and soon the whole world is blind. - Mahatma Gandhi
The world is my country. To do good is my religion. My mind is my own church. This simple creed is all we need to enjoy peace on earth. - Thomas Paine

Bad reporting is bad when local newspaper have more accurate information than video game news websites.

EA closed down more than Visceral Studio in Montréal (they had 3 "studios" in Mtl, only the BioWare one was untouched). It happened 2-3 weeks ago too. They also closed down BioWare San Franscisco (formerly EA2D, they made the facebook games).

It just look like downsizing to me, which mean EA didn't have a good 1st quarter…

-- "Mystery is important. To know everything, to know the whole truth, is dull. There is no magic in that. Magic is not knowing, magic is wondering about what and how and where." ~ Cortez, from The Longest Journey

Originally Posted by JDR13
I don't see what those other studios have to do with Dead Space or how not mentioning them equals bad reporting.

The entire article is written as if Visceral Studio Montreal closing down was a rumor, but Dead Space 4 being cancelled is a sure thing despite pre-production cancellation being like putting something on a tablet to use it later (happens all the time).

See it's the opposite that happened: Visceral Studio Montreal have been close down (that is not a rumor). As for Dead Space 4, the previous games have all been made at Visceral Redwood Shore…

The point of the other studios is that the closure of VSM had nothing to do with Dead Space not meeting sales, it was done because of EA restructuring. It's actually mentioned in the article, but ignored by the "journalist".

Originally Posted by azarhal
The entire article is written as if Visceral Studio Montreal closing down was a rumor, but Dead Space 4 being cancelled is a sure thing despite pre-production cancellation being like putting something on a tablet to use it later (happens all the time).

See it's the opposite that happened: Visceral Studio Montreal have been close down (that is not a rumor). As for Dead Space 4, the previous games have all been made at Visceral Redwood Shore…

The point of the other studios is that the closure of VSM had nothing to do with Dead Space not meeting sales, it was done because of EA restructuring. It's actually mentioned in the article, but ignored by the "journalist".

The primary focus of the article is Dead Space, not EA. Whether or not Visceral Montreal closed due to restructuring is mostly irrelevant. "Restructuring" is usually what happens when monetary goals aren't being met, and they obviously weren't. I'm not refering to Dead Space alone, EA's issues most likely go deeper than that.

Afaik, there hadn't been an official announcement from EA. I assume that's why he used the term "rumored" even if it's obviously true. I don't have a problem with that.

Point is, Dead Space 4 was cancelled. That's primarily why people are reading the article.. not because they care about EA's restructuring. The article states that DS4 has been cancelled, which it has for now. That doesn't mean it can't be resurrected at a later date. My only issue would be the author stating that they've "effectively axed the series" which seems premature.

However, I think we both know that it's highly unlikely for a company like EA to revisit a brand that failed to meet their expectations once before.

Originally Posted by JDR13
I think they shot themselves in the foot with DS3 though.

I know you liked DS1 and DS2 and played DS3 but can you point out where it goes wrong? I liked DS1 and 2 for being genuine horrorgames when both Silent Hill 5 and Resident Evil 4 became regular shooters.

-- Mankind must put an end to war or war will put an end to mankind. - John F Kennedy
An eye for an eye, and soon the whole world is blind. - Mahatma Gandhi
The world is my country. To do good is my religion. My mind is my own church. This simple creed is all we need to enjoy peace on earth. - Thomas Paine

Originally Posted by JemyM
I know you liked DS1 and DS2 and played DS3 but can you point out where it goes wrong? I liked DS1 and 2 for being genuine horrorgames when both Silent Hill 5 and Resident Evil 4 became regular shooters.

I gave my impressions here and talked about some of the reasons I found it disappointing.

I still enjoyed DS3 to a certain degree, but I recommend waiting for a substantial decrease in price if you're going to purchase it.

Originally Posted by JDR13
Point is, Dead Space 4 was cancelled. That's primarily why people are reading the article..

The Dead Space franchise being cancelled is a rumor until no Dead Space games is announced in the next 2-3 years. Visceral Studio Montréal closing down is not a rumor despite the article saying it is and it's an insults to all those employees who just lost their jobs saying that it is.